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"Another manager who believes that as long as you 'play hard' that will make the club perform better. Unfortunately far too many English managers have that attitude and it just doesn't seem to do the job (Sherwood at Spurs being an example). The idea that players would deliberately not want to play well for their teams is a bit ludicrous to start with I think. Most of the time if they appear not to play hard it is because they are being asked to perform tasks they are not capable of by the manager. What do you intend to do to make the team play better (not harder) Gary?"

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Waddock puts all contract talks on hold

James Constable, pictured in action at Southend on Monday, is one of a number of Oxford United players out of contract this summer

First published
in Headlines
by David Pritchard, Chief Sports Reporter covering Oxford United. Follow us on twitter: @oxfordmailoufc. Call me on 01865 425458

All contract decisions at Oxford United will be made after the end of the season as Gary Waddock takes time to assess the quality in the squad.

The new head coach is less than a week into his tenure at the club and does not intend to agree any deals until after he has fully scrutinised the individuals on the books.

There are 13 players in the first and development team squads whose deals expire this summer.

It equates to half United’s senior professionals, although the club have the option of activating an additional 12 months on several, including skipper Jake Wright, winger Sean Rigg, plus youngsters Sam Long, David Lynn and Josh Shama.

Waddock stated everyone had a clean slate when he took over last weekend, meaning they all have just over a month to stake their claim.

He said: “They’ll have to wait until the end of the campaign.

“I’ll have to see how they perform, on the training ground and in games, before I make a decision on them.

“It’s as simple as that. I’m not going to come in here and offer players contracts when I’ve not seen them play.

“I watched them against Southend and Hartlepool, but I can’t make a judgement on players that way.

“I know the group and I know the players, but they have to earn that contract.”

It allows Waddock time to gauge who he wants to keep as the process of building a squad in his image begins heading into next season.

Goalkeeper Ryan Clarke, who penned a new two-year deal in January, is the only senior player whose future has been finalised.

Last month, youth team prospect Josh Ashby agreed a long-term contract, but any other talks which are in progress will be shelved for the time being.

U’s chairman Ian Lenagan has said discussions with James Constable, Josh Ruffels and Tom Newey have taken place recently.

But Waddock made it clear they would be in the same boat as everyone else.

He said: “They will be on hold until I make a final decision.”

Oxford United head coach Gary Waddock has agreed to answer your questions.

The U’s boss, right, will sit down with the Oxford Mail next week and respond to your queries.

If you have a question, email sportsdesk@oxfordmail.co.uk by 7pm on Sunday evening and we will pass on a selection to Waddock – and print his answers in a two-page United special.